From elementary school all the way up until senior year, you likely learned all about the dangers of drugs. Not just about pot, but also substances like cocaine. As much as it was burned into your brain, you couldn’t forget those lessons if you tried. In a nutshell, the D.A.R.E program taught you how bad drugs are, and that you will die if you experiment with them, even if it’s just once. But there’s quite a bit of info that they left out. Not to mention, most of what you heard is complete BS. To set the record straight, here are 7 truths about drugs that they should have taught you in school.

1. Not all drugs will kill you

If you aren’t careful, most drugs (excluding weed, of course) can kill you. But with a little common sense, you can have a decent experience, especially with drugs like ecstasy and shrooms. Moderation is everything.

As for drugs like meth, crack, GHB, and heroin, there are a much larger amount of risks that come with each. With that said, you should probably stay away from those.

2. One dose of acid isn’t going to make you rip your skin off

For the most part, all one strip of acid will do is make you see pretty colors and laugh your ass off. But if you aren’t in the right state of mind beforehand, meaning you are nervous and full of doubts, then you will likely have a terrible time.

To point out the risks of long-term LSD use, it can often lead to depression, anxiety, and flashbacks lasting up to a year. Therefore, it’s best only to do it every so often.

3. Weed is not a gateway drug

According to a 2014 British drug survey, 93% of adults have smoked the devil’s lettuce. But guess what, that doesn’t mean every single one of them turned into a crackhead, now does it? In fact, most people who smoke weed just smoke weed. They don’t feel the need to do anything else.

4. Addicts don’t always look like addicts

When most people think of an addict, they picture someone who is dirty and covered in track marks. But the truth is, there are plenty of functioning addicts out there, ones you would never know were using drugs behind closed doors. Often, they aren’t bad people, either. They are just like everyone else, except they fell down the wrong path.

5. Mixing cocaine with booze creates cocaethylene

Did you know that having a bump or two with your drink of choice creates a new drug entirely? It’s true, and it’s called cocaethylene. While cocaethylene can offer a euphoric high, it’s still quite toxic and can cause some serious damage to the heart.

6. Ketamine is just as dangerous as other drugs, if not more

Practically every school will tell you that ketamine is like any other powdered narcotic, it’s no good for you. But other than that, they don’t go into much detail. In case you didn’t know, snorting a horse tranquilizer can and will make your bladder fail. Just picture yourself with a colostomy bag doing your A levels. Not cute, guys. Not cute at all.

7. Cannabis is your safest option

If you’re looking for something more natural that comes with almost zero risks, other than eating too many snacks, then weed is your best bet. Sure, you may be able to experiment with drugs like cocaine and ecstasy and still be ok. But in reality, pot has never killed anyone.

Always remember that when trying any substance, do your research beforehand and start off slow. More importantly, always trust your gut. If you’re fearful of a drug, then chances are you aren’t ready for it.